Multi-physics Simulation and Modelling of Metasurfaces for Communications and Sensor Applications from Device to System

该研究计划的主要目标是开发新的模拟技术，用于各种应用中的元表面（MS）的分析和设计。该计划将处理需要有一个多尺度的建模框架，从亚波长尺度长度的系统级;和多物理方法的重要性。MS通过创建具有亚波长单位单元的准周期性布置的EM谐振散射体的薄二维表面来形成。细胞阵列的总响应可以被理解为以频率依赖性为特征的涌现的功能结构。** 由于固有现象的复杂性，MS的设计和分析是一个复杂的领域。该资助计划开发一套通用数值工具，以促进MS及其所用系统的设计和优化。将创建工具，以提供从单元设计到系统分析的能力。 这一过程中的一个关键要素是使用分层模型和模拟过程;从单位单元到系统。 将为时变和非线性电池开发一个单元电池模拟工具。对于小区域传播研究的工具，将开发系统与非线性/时变MS.为解决散射和系统级的问题，涉及多个MS和大区域，两个工具将开发一个基于边界元法和其他增强射线跟踪。所有这些基础设施将结合多物理方面的工作，重点是自我一致的EM，热和电路模拟。这种用于MS设计和系统优化的综合CAD基础设施将用于解决三个初始应用：1）用于无线（5G）信道容量增强的MS设计，2）伪装的MS实现，以及3）基于MS的窄带IR发射器。 * 毫无疑问，包含MS元素的技术将对技术和社会产生巨大影响。这种变化发生的速度将在很大程度上取决于可用于MS设计的CAD工具和利用它们的系统。在这个时候，这种CAD基础设施基本上是不存在的，这项赠款中提出的工作旨在提供它。使这样一个CAD环境可用的技术影响将是非常重要的。它将在许多领域实现创新，首先在5G通信和传感器开发中感受到影响。拟议工作的科学影响也将相当大。提出的工作涉及非线性和时变元素的单位细胞建模是一个开放的问题，并将推进该领域。这项工作的多尺度和多物理重点将产生大量新的科学材料供传播。最后，与实验人员合作完成的应用工作将推进这些领域的知识基础。*****

The primary goal of the research program will be to develop novel simulation techniques for the analysis and design of metasurfaces (MS) in a wide variety of applications. The program will deal with the need to have a multi-scale modelling framework from sub-wavelength scale lengths to the system level; and the importance of a multi-physics approach. A MS is formed by creating a thin two dimensional surface of quasi-periodically arranged EM resonant scatterers having a sub-wavelength unit cell. The total response of the array of cells can be understood as an emergent functional structure characterized by frequency dependent susceptibilities. ******Due to the complexity of the intrinsic phenomena MS design and analysis is a challanging area. This grant proposes to develop a set of general numerical tools to facilitate the design and optimization of MS's and the systems they are used in. Tools will be created to provide capabilities spanning from unit-cell design to system analysis. A key element in the process will be the use of a hierarchal model and simulation process; building up from the unit cell to the system. A unit-cell simulation tool will be developed for time-varying and non-linear cells. For small-region propagation studies a tool will be developed for systems with non-linear/time-varying MS. For addressing scattering and system level problems involving multiple MS and large regions, two tools will be developed one based on boundary element methods and the other on enhanced ray tracing. All of this infrastructure will incorporate multi-physics aspects with work focusing on self-consistent EM, thermal and electrical circuit simulation. This comprehensive CAD infrastructure for MS design and system optimization will be used to address three initial applications: 1) MS design for wireless (5G) channel capacity enhancement, 2) MS implementations of camouflage, and 3) MS based narrow-band IR emitters. ******It is without doubt, that technologies incorporating MS elements will have a great impact on technology and society. The rate at which this change occurs will be strongly dependent on the CAD tools available for the design of MS's and the systems which exploit them. At this point in time, this CAD infrastructure is essentially non-existent and the work proposed in this grant aims to provide it. The technological impact of making such a CAD environment available will be very significant. It will enable innovation in many areas with impact first being felt in 5G communication and sensor development. The scientific impact of proposed work will also be considerable. The work proposed on unit-cell modeling involving non-linear and time-varying elements is an open problem and will advance the field. The multi-scale and multi-physics focus of the work will create a large amount of new scientific material to be disseminated. Finally, the application work done in collaboration with experimentalists will advance the knowledge base for those areas. *****